When Malfoy wants a Witch

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Chapter 21 - Thinking and Squid Food

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Severus stepped out of the fireplace, "I may or may not be aware where the runaway bride is," Severus said, smirking broadly.

“What does it depend on?”

"Who can say? I just want a favor of unnamed type and size and by no official in the future."

“That's a lot to ask, Severus.”

"So is informing you of all I know of what has befallen the amazing Miss Granger who is to be the future mother of Malfoys. As you know as I do that Draco will not settle for less than her."

“How much does the favour you want cost? I will not give you more than a million Galleons for the hint.”

"I am not interested in galleons," Severus said, "but all I want is the assurance that should I need your help, I should have it regardless of what it is."

“As long as it is not the life or soul of me or anyone of my family.”

"Agreed," Severus said.

“So tell me, old friend, what do you know?”

"She is at the hospital and is there due to poisoning from a Love potion given to her by one Mr. Zabini," Severus said. "She is stabilized, and I am going to run a test on what she was given to determine the full nature of her reaction as well as the love potion."

“We were suspecting zabini, but had no proof. Will you bring her home when she is better, Severus?”

"I thought Draco would want to visit her," Severus said. "However I am not aware of what happened at the wedding. And I would suspect she hasn't received Draco's letter to her."

“She run away from the wedding, encited to it by Zabini.”

Severus nodded, "I am going to go and tend to doing what I can to make her better. She is out of lethal danger, but I don't know what ingestion of the roses would do to her."

“May I tell Draco?”

"I assumed you would tell him regardless of my wishes. He has been through enough."

“He has been devastated so far. It would do him good to visit her. However, he has to obey her wishes if she sends him away.”

"Agreed," Lucius said, "Thank you, old friend."

“You are welcome, Lucius.”

Severus apparated away.

“Father, who were you talking to?” Draco asked as he rushed into Lucius' study.

"Severus stopped by," Lucius said, "Take a seat. I have information about your witch."

“What do you know, Father?” Draco asked as he sat down on a chaise.

"She is in the hospital. Someone tried to give her a love potion with rose petals in it is your godfather's suspicion. He is running tests now. And she might need extra care for a little while," Lucius said, leaning back on his desk.

“Will she be alright? And who did it her?”

"Blaise has been arrested for it by now, and she is not in mortal peril in Severus' opinion."

“May I see her?” Draco asked.

“Yes, but first, clean up. She would not be wooed by your scruffy self and your stench of vodka. And if she sends you away, you leave."

"But I need her!" Draco said.

“But I can't leave her! She's mine!”

"She is, but she is likely not feeling well and still angry with you."

“I will persuade her!”

"If she sends you away, you are gone," Lucius said.

“Fine,” Draco pouted. 'I need to go and clean myself up.

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Hermione woke a little when she heard a loud squeal.

"SHE IS ENGAGED TO ME!"

“What's going on?” Hermione asked the elf who was sitting in the corner of her room.

"Master Draco is outside, but the Healers won't let him in while you are sleeping, Miss. Shall I let them know you are awakes?"

“Let him suffer for a bit. What's your name?”

"I will lets Master Draco know you's awake."

Hermione pouted. Why did the elf not tell her its name?'

"I DON'T WANT TO SEE HIM!" Hermione declared in a squeal.

“Yous has to!”

"No!"

"SHE IS AWAKE! I will see her!"

Hermione hid under the duvet.

Draco bounded into the room, "Hermione, I've been so worried."

"Get out!" Hermione said, throwing a pillow at Draco.

Draco dodged the pillow.

“I don't want to leave, Love!”

“GET OUT!”

“I missed you so much?!” Draco said as he got into the room.

"GET OUT!" Hermione said, throwing her last pillow at him. "I don't want to see you!"

“But I want to see you!” he sat on the edge of her bed.

“Did you not hear that you must go away?” She asked from under the duvet.

"Draco Lucian Abraxas Malfoy!" Lucius said, grabbing his son. "You get out. She doesn't want to see you."

“Love, tell him you want to see me!” Draco said at the witch who was spying at him from under the duvet.

Hermione wanted to talk to him. But telling him that would be too soon.

"Get out," she said softly, "But I want Lucius to stay. I want to talk to him."

Draco looked down to the floor and left the room. He slumped down on the floor next to the door.

"Are you quite alright, my dear?" Lucius asked sitting on the edge of the bed and taking Hermione's hand.

“Yes, I just feel a slight tummy upset.”

“Then why did you send Draco away? He is heartbroken over your apparent kidnapping."

“I am still mad at him. He lied about the past.”

“He wanted to protect you. His life was not easy under Voldemort. He wanted to spare you the hurt you'd feel for all he's gone through,” Lucius said and held her hand still.

"Whose life was easy under Voldemort?"

“No one's. But Voldemort made sure that I and my wife were in constant fear about Draco's life.”

"What did he do?" Hermione asked as the tiny elf returned the pillows to her bed. Hermione leaned back on the soft pillows.

"I think you should let Draco tell you."

“You tell me. I don't want to speak to him yet.”

"If that is your wish," Lucius said. "It started when I lost that prophecy and was sent to Azkaban..." Lucius spoke for over two hours telling her the story. "How you came to be engaged is still a little fuzzy to me. What I mean is that I don't know what made Draco come home saying what he said."

“How come you don't remember?” Hermione asked suspicious of his motives.

"Draco just came home from work soaked in cleaning supplies and announced that you were pregnant with his child. I didn't know then what made him say such lies, but he was subjected to a horrible curse by the Dark Lord." Lucius paused for a moment. "Surely, you understand that I wasn't about to let my grandchild be aborted which he claimed was your intention."

“I understand. I know he was under the curse still as well.”

"The trouble was that the curse affected your behavior toward him. He was always a very sensitive child. But I believe he has loved you from that first day on the train. He sent me dozens of letters complaining about you. I did the same thing when I first saw Narcissa. His tone was such as to imply that you were purposely making him like you."

“I don't know how the curse could've affected me. Or how it was applied to me?”

“No one can say that for sure, but it is sure it has been removed.”

"Severus would know more about this type of magic than I do. But we know that your personality reversed because of the spell and caused you great stress. It was obvious to your friends and to Draco. It caused him great pain."

“But he should've told me this!”

"You were cruel to Draco," Lucius said. "And we all know that you would have hounded Draco for every detail. He thought that this would be kinder to you because he loves you and wanted to spare you the knowledge of the curse and your painful school years. He had to be cruel to protect you." Lucius squeezed her hand. "I watched him cry over how he treated you, held him in my arms watching his heart break."

“But I feel hurt that he didn't trust me enough to tell me all this. I thought that if he loved me enough he could do this.”

"He wanted to spare you pain. I made a similar mistake with Cissa recently. I didn't tell her my suspicions of Draco being cursed. She forgave me. I didn't want to see her suffer when I didn't know if it was true or if it could be reversed."

“I am mad at him still!”

"That is alright. But please forgive him," Lucius said, "He loves you so much, and I know to be so hurt and angry by this means that you love him too."

“But I don't want to see him. Never ever. There's just too much history between us for this to work.”

"Let me show you something," Lucius said, lifting the Prophet from a pocket in his robes. "Here is a note he wrote when he found you were missing and believed that you were kidnapped at least and murdered at worst."

Lucius gave her the newspaper.

Hermione took it and gasped as she began to read the front page.

“Did he really write it?”

"Every word," Lucius said. "He hoped to convince whomever it was to return you to him as he loves you more than anything."

Hermione began to cry.

"I'll leave you to your thoughts, and to get rest."

“Where's Draco?”

"He is right outside. Shall I fetch him?"

“Yes please.”

Lucius walked to the door and opened it to see Draco sitting with his fingers thrust into his hair slumped over.

“She wants to see you. Don't over react. She is not sure if she loves you still.”

Draco stood and walked to the door. He peeked in.

Hermione reached her arms for him and whined.

He came closer to her, not saying anything. He didn't want to be dumped now.

Hermione whined louder and reached for him.

“You are such a bad boy,” she murmured and pulled him closer.

Draco allowed her to put his cheek in her lap. He began to cry loudly, "I'll never lie to you again. I'm so sorry. Please don't leave me. I love you."

“The lies were horrible. I don't know what's true anymore.”

"You can ask Uncle Sev. He can tell you about the curse in detail. He cured us. And...and I promise to not lie. I just didn't want you to hurt. I love you, and to see you learn that you hated me. I was scared that you wouldn't be willing to give me a chance."

Hermione stroked the soft hair with one hand and rubbed his back with the other.

“Did I really hate you so much in school?”

"I was pretty rotten to you. But I had to keep you safe."

“Yes, and every time you said something mean to me I was so hurt. Then I would say something horrible to you back to make you feel like I did.”

"And you needn't have bothered. I hurt badly enough from what I said. But I couldn't have people using you against me. And I did beat up Blaise for saying he was going to try to go with you. But he knew I liked you, and he was jealous because I am better looking."

“I always thought Blaise was gay. I like him as a brother. Until he poisoned me.”

Draco hugged her, "I love you. And I'm sorry, Hermione."

“I love you too, Draco.”

"Will you still marry me, Hermione?" he whimpered a little and pressed in closer to her lap.

“I have to think about that.”

"I promise to be best husband, and to make our life as blissful as I can," Draco said, petting her thighs with a whimper.

“But our wedding was ruined. Muggles think it’s a sign that it's not destined.”

"No, it is just a reminder that married life is not always easy, but that if we can get through this that we can get through everything."

“I don't know anymore, Draco. I love you with all my heart but...” She leaned back against the bed.

"Love is all we need," Draco whispered, sniffling as he pressed closer.

“But is it enough?” Hermione stopped touching him.

"Yes," Draco sniffled, aching to have her fingers combing his hair again. “I'd do anything for you!”

"I'm still hurt, Draco," Hermione said. "I just need to think about it all."

“You can think when I'm here.” he whined.

"No one asked you to leave, Draco," Hermione said. "I just can't answer that question yet."

“That's fine with me,” Draco said and crawled into the bed so he lay next to her over the covers.

Hermione tucked her head under his chin and cuddled him. He was so much less antsy than Blaise had been, even though he, too, didn't ask. She had basically invited him though.

And that was fine with her. She loved him still. And it was still her lovely Draco. Same silky hair and adoring personality.

She leaned in and sniffed him. She loved his citrus scent and she wound her fingers into the cloth of his robes.

“I love you,” he murmured.

“I love you, too!” she said and fell asleep.

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Lucius peeked in the room and saw Draco curled around Hermione.

He smiled.

The two would make up soon. They were meant to be together.

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Hermione sighed as she awoke the next morning to look into beautiful grey eyes.

Draco leaned forward and rubbed his nose over her cheek, "Good Morning, Princess."

“Morning, I feel sick,” she said and rushed from the bed to the loo.

Draco followed after her. His Hermione wasn't feeling well.

Hermione kneeled at the toilet bowl and threw up.

Draco gasped when he saw her vomiting, and gathered her hair back.

"I'm so sorry, Hermione."

“You can go if you don't want to stay. I'm disgusting.”

"I would never leave you," Draco whispered, rubbing her back. "Especially when you are sick."

“I'm gross,” she said and vomited again.

“You are not gross, Love. Zabini made you sick. It's his fault.”

Knock. Knock.

"Hermione," a rich voice called. "I have a potion for cleansing the rose oil from your system."

“Who's there?” Draco asked.

"It's Severus, Draco," Severus responded, walking into the bathroom. He helped Hermione to stand and offered her the potion.

Hermione took the potion.

She drank it quickly sighing a little at the peppermint flavor.

“You can go home today if you want,” Severus said. “I asked your Healer.”

"Can I go with you, Severus?" Hermione asked, taking his hand. "I need time to think."

“I don't know if it's right,” Severus said.

"Please, Severus," Hermione said, moving into his arms. "I've missed you. We've not seen each other for a while. I used to stay at your place about one night a week."

"Well, I have someone else staying there now."

“Who's staying there?”

"Someone very special, but I've not told you about this at all," Severus said, taking her hand. "But I would like to tell you."

“Hermione, please come home with me. You can have your own room even,” Draco begged.

"Please Draco, I just need some more time," she said, not looking at the blond as she knew if she did she would be in his arms and on her way back to Malfoy Manor. “And Severus is trying to tell me something important.”

"Draco, just stop pestering her. You don't know how irritating that gets," Severus said. "Would you like to sit down while we talk?"

“Okay,” Hermione said.

Severus led her to the bed where he helped her to sit. He took a seat in the chair opposite.

"There isn't an easy way to tell a woman this, and I felt that you had a crush on me at one point though I think that might have been the doing of the Dark Lord's curse."

“What's wrong Severus?”

Draco glared at Severus.

"Well, I do have someone living with me now as I said," Severus looked away. "A male someone."

Hermione tilted her head to the side.

“You mean a friend, right Severus?”

"A close male friend," Severus said, sticking his lower lip out. "A very close male friend."

"Oh for Merlin's sake," Draco exclaimed. "Severus is a complete and total pouff, Hermione. A bum bandit, an arse pirate."

“Draco!” Hermione chided him. “How crude!”

Severus glared at Draco, "Now, that I was outed by the boy, and you know. Do you still want to come and stay with us?"

"Who is your boyfriend?" Hermione asked.

She took Severus' hand and squeezed.

"You don't hate me?" Severus asked, looking at her desperately.

“No, why would I hate you? I am happy that you have found love. Now who's the lucky man?”

Severus grabbed Hermione and hugged her.

"Thank you, Hermione."

"We're sharing. Tell me you deigned worthy of moving in with you."

"Remus Lupin," Severus said, his cheeks tinting.

“I always wondered why Remus had been single forever... now I know.”

Severus smiled, "If you don't mind staying with a couple of old pouffs, then Remus and I would be glad to have you."

"I don't mind," Hermione said, "We can snuggle."

“Hermione! You're not serious!”

"Draco, let Remus and I have time with our friend," Severus snapped, "And she needs time to think away from your whinging."

“But she will decide not to come back to me!”

"And that is her choice. Please have her things delivered to Hogwarts," Severus said, offering her his arm.

Hermione took it and put her cheek on his arm, “Draco, I love you, but I need to think over everything. I don’t know what will happen, but I know I love you.”

“Hermione come home to me!”

"We must behave in a manner that Remus would approve of," Severus teased as she kissed his hand.

"Draco, I need to think, and being around you is not conducive to that type of pass-time."

Draco slumped on the hospital bed. He had lost out to an old pouff.

Severus handed Hermione the clothes she arrived at the hospital wearing.

“Are you sure you want to leave Draco?”

“I still love him, but I need to think about everything that I’ve learned. I don’t want to hurt him and I know I am, but I have to think. I know what he did, and why he did it. It is so sweet. If I went with him, I would just marry him," Hermione said. "But I need to digest everything I've learned and I want your view on things as well, Sev. And I've not seen Remus in ages."

“Alright, sweet. Remus was worried about you too.”

“Hermione," Draco whined, reaching for her. "May I, at least, have a goodbye hug? Am I allowed to write to you?"

“You may have a hug,” she said and opened her arms for him. “And I do want to have lots of letters from you.”

Draco pulled her between his legs and watched her lips.

She quickly pecked his lips. They were too inviting.

Draco tried to lean in for another.

"No," Hermione said, putting a finger on his lips. "I'm going with Severus now."

Draco looked so crestfallen that she almost forgave him that moment.

Draco watched her, "Will you write me back?"

“I will.”

Draco whimpered, "I'm sorry, Hermione."

"I know." Hermione said, "Shall we Severus? I am eager to see Remus again."

Severus nodded, and led her to the floo. "Draco, I suggest you obliviate Bexlay. No one needs to know she was here. At least he was smart enough to put her in the Malfoy's private room which is rarely disturbed."

Draco nodded and looked sadly after the witch.

Hermione stepped through the floo and gasped as she saw the new warmth of Severus' quarters.

Picture frames decorated the mantle tastefully, and several novels lay on the coffee table and a rich creamy smell greeted her nostrils.

"Sev, is that you?" a familiar voice called through the cozy dungeon apartment.

“Yes, and I brought a friend you'd love to see!”

Remus grinned as he stepped out of the kitchen, "And I have something I can't wait to show you," he said, grinning innocently as he skipped up to Severus and kissed him in greeting.

Hermione giggled and stared at the two men hotly.

"Hermione, I'm so glad to see you," Remus said, taking her hands. "I've just iced a German chocolate cake. It’s Severus’ favorite."

“Oh Remus! I haven't seen you in such a long time!”

Remus accepted her hug, "Did Severus tell you about us? Not that silly me didn't just out us completely," Remus said, grinning, "But he is irresistible."

Hermione giggled.

“Wah,” a small voice called.

"What was that, Werewolf?" Severus demanded. "What have you brought into this home?"

"Nothing horrible," Remus said. "Just...just two things I found. I'll be right back."

Severus raised a hand to his head as he sat down in a much plusher chair than Hermione remembered Severus having the last time she was here.

“Do you like all the changes Remus has made to your home?”

Remus came back a moment later with a pink bundle in one arm and a yellow bundle in the other.

"What are those?" Severus asked, and his nose crinkled.

"Twin girls," Remus answered giving Severus his biggest, sweetest eyes.

"Oh no, no-no-no-no-no-no," Severus said. "No."

“But I found them at the gates today!”

"Those are for the giant squid," Severus said.

"Severus," Remus said, hugging each little bundle more tightly. "How could you say such a thing?"

"Giant squids need to eat too," Severus said, "Let's go see to his dietary supplements now."

“Severus, these are sweet babies! I always wanted to raise someone!”

"Babies only cry and poop. Little girls are awful because they cry while they poop."

"They've not made a peep since I brought them in," Remus said.

“I don't believe you!” Severus said.

“And when I went up to the room of requirement to look for something to transfigure into a crib I found two perfect ones! Come see what I've done to the third bedroom!" Remus said, joyously.

"You mean the room that was going to be my study?" Severus asked.

"Severus, they are babies. Small people. I've already named them!"

“Remus, we will bring them to Minerva so she can send them to an orphanage.”

"Severus, no! We will keep them. I love little girls. I will take care of them."

"I suppose I'll just pick up the check."

"Severus, don't be that way. How much could these little angels cost anybody?"

“Children eat food. Children need clothes, as stealing tea-towels from house elves is difficult.”

"Severus, we are going to keep little Dandelion and Clover," Remus declared. "I won't send them to an orphanage."

"Dandelion and Clover? Are you stoned? They will be made fun of with those terrible names. I must have to do everything!"

Hermione giggled as she watched the two men bicker.

”Severus, you are rich. And children should have a parent to stay at home and care for them."

Hermione said, touching Severus' arm.

"Waaaah!"

"What did I say about CRYING and pooping?"

Remus cuddled the crying baby and it stopped crying.

"What would you name them?" he retorted. "I like Dandelion and Clover."

“Pooper and Screamer sound nice,” Severus huffed.

"Severus, be serious," Hermione said, reaching out and taking the yellow bundle from Remus. "She is beautiful. Look at her."

The baby gurgled and looked at her with bright blue eyes.

"They have dark hair like yours and blue eyes like mine. They are beautiful," Remus declared. "What do you think would be a good name, Hermione? As Severus has horrible taste in names."

“I don't know...let me think,” she said as she sat down with the baby.

"You don't look like a 'Pooper' or a 'Screamer,'" Hermione cooed. "You're a beautiful little girl."

The baby's little hand reached for hers.

She smiled as the tiny fingers clutched one of hers.

“So did you think of a name, Hermione?”

"I like Rose for the little one in the pink blanket as her cheeks are rosy," Hermione said, leaning down and kissing the baby.

"I like that name," Remus chimed.

“I will drop the babies off at the next Muggle orphanage,” Severus announced.

"He doesn't mean it," Remus said, ignoring the blustering man.

“I even got bottles and formula from a Muggle shop,” Remus announced proudly.

"What do you think of Annamarie for the little one in yellow?" Hermione asked.

“I like it,” Remus said, reaching over and running a finger down the baby’s cheek.

"Why would you get that inferior slop for to feed them? My baby nutrient potions taste as the baby's favorite food and has all the nutrients. I am sure they would prefer my potions to that powdery junk!"

“Well, they were hungry and you weren't home. And didn't you say you'd give them away?”

Severus huffed and went to his lab, "Don't feed them anymore of that powdery crap!" He said before slamming the door.

Hermione giggled.

"He's a big softy," Remus whispered to her.

"I AM MEAN AND CALLOUS!" Severus shouted through the door. "Those children can't grow up with Remus' ideals as he would feed chocolate all day and give them maps of the school that show where everyone is and what they're doing!"

“I'd not do that...too often,” Remus said and smiled.

Hermione giggled.

"So Hermione, how is your love life treating you? I've read all the prophet had to say, but you know they are now letting Skeeter write for them again, so I feel the news is probably not all that reliable."

“I know Skeeter’s back because Lucius owns the paper and all her articles have to be approved by him before they are published.”

"Well, how is your love life?" he asked, cuddling a baby.

“Nonexistent...since the wedding faux pas.”

"What happened? Tell Remus everything!"

Remus said, "But first we put the little ones down for a nap."

The baby in the yellow blanket yawned then.

"Yes, sharing," Hermione said.

They walked back to the third bedroom in Severus' small suite of rooms and Hermione smiled when she saw the two cradles set up for the babies.

" Annamarie and Rose," Remus said, placing his baby down in the cradle with pink blankets.

Hermione watched the tender movements and put a hand over her heart after placing her own precious cargo in a cradle.

“They are so gorgeous!”

“I'm sure you'll have babies one day too!'”

"Yes," Hermione said. "I'd love a little boy."

“So how's Draco doing?”

“He's fine I guess. I saw him this morning.”

"So he is not upset that you left him for us?"

“Of course he is and he begged me to come home.”

"But what? I want the whole story. I love stories. The longer the better. You should write it out in a book."

“Remus..this isn't as easy or as fun as this sounds...”

“Tell me what happened…from the begining...”

He led her to the kitchen and cut them each a slice of the cake and poured them each a glass of milk.

“I am so confused... I love Draco, but...”

Remus offered her the cake as she spoke and told him everything she learned.

“So you're mad at him because he wanted to give you time to see his good side?”

"He lied to me," Hermione said. "And he never batted an eye. I hate being lied to."

“Would you have given him a chance if the curse would'v enot been lifted?”

"The curse was affecting me apparently, and I don't think I would have. Thinking about how I wouldn't have given him a chance makes me sad. He is very loving. A little clingy at times, but given what I put him through, I can understand."

“So would you want to lose a chance with someonw you've loved all your life?”

"I've not loved him all my life, but all I kept saying to Blaise was that I planned to marry Draco and I loved Draco. I felt so bad for making him worry, and yet I was still angry. I should've confronted him."

“Do you think the curse was his fault?”

"No. I'm angry about the lies, not the curse. He is changed from the boy in school. He is all kindness," Hermione said. "He dotes on me really."

“Forgive him, Hermione. Don't waste time without happiness.”

"I know it's childish, but I want him to suffer a little. Just so he understands to never lie again."

“Spend the night here and go talk to him tomorrow.”

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Draco paced the floor. He sent an owl to her.

"Why didn't she come home with me?" he asked for the millionth time as he walked back and forth in front of the fireplace.

“At least she's safe and healthy,” Lucius said.

"I need her," Draco pouted. "She said she loves me." He pulled out the devotion charm and held it.

“So give her time to come around.”

Draco tried to sit down, "Why hasn't she written back?"

“She wants you to stew.”

"It takes an owl more than an hour to fly to Hogwarts," Lucius said with an eyeroll.

“She could Floo the answer!”

"The owl you sent hasn't gotten there, Draco!" Lucius said, slamming his cane down. "Give her time. She will return. Your mother returned to me."

“I want her to come home now!”

Lucius rolled his eyes.

"She'll be home soon, Baby," Narcissa said, "She will give you a nice welcome. I'm sure of it."

Narcissa shot a look at Lucius who looked away and pretended not to see the look.

Draco pouted. “If it wasn't for Zabini, I'd be on my honeymoon.”

"Yes, but imagine how it would be if these lies carried on for years and years. It would make her reaction so much worse."

“Maybe then she'd forgive easier. Gods, I can't look at you both, it looks like you're going to do this on the desk.”

Draco stormed out of the room and went to his suite to sulk.

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Here it is. Do leave a review.

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